A pediatrician is a medical doctor who has obtained specific training in medical care and treatment of children and adolescents. Like any physician, a pediatrician must earn a doctor of medicine (M.D.) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (D.O.) degree from a recognized medical or osteopathic school. After completing her medical degree, she must complete a postgraduate residency program in pediatrics to be able to take the American Board of Pediatrics certification exam and become a board-certified pediatrician.

Medical School Requirements

Admission to medical or osteopathic school requires a bachelor's degree from a recognized four-year college. Candidates for medical school must complete a full year of coursework in each of the following subjects: biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, mathematics and English. During their junior year, they take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) before applying to medical colleges. A student who wishes to become a pediatrician does not have to take any specific courses during his four years of medical or osteopathic school.

Postgraduate Training

A candidate for American Board of Pediatrics certification must complete a three-year residency program in pediatrics that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The first year usually consists of general pediatric training, whereas the second and third years of qualified programs should include supervision of first-year residents and medical students along with additional general training that focuses on patient care.

Licensure

Candidates for the American Board of Pediatrics certification examination must first pass the licensing exams in at least one state. State medical boards use a three-step standardized examination called the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE). This examination tests whether candidates for licensing have attained the knowledge necessary to practice medicine and whether they have the skills to apply their knowledge to patient care.

Board Certification Examinations

The American Board of Pediatrics certification examination consists of 300 to 350 multiple choice questions. Some of the subjects covered by the examination are nutritional requirements for children of various ages, signs and symptoms of childhood illnesses and proper administration of vaccinations. The passing score is scaled, so the number of questions a candidate must answer correctly to pass the exam varies with each administration of the test.

Certified Pediatricians

A board-certified pediatrician can begin to practice general pediatrics, or he can apply for a fellowship in a pediatric subspecialty such as pediatric oncology, pediatric cardiology or pediatric radiology. Each subspecialty has its own postgraduate training requirements and examinations, and subspecialty certification is also administered by the American Board of Pediatrics.

About the Author

John DeMerceau is an American expatriate entrepreneur, marketing analyst and Web developer. He now lives and works in southeast Asia, where he creates websites and branding/marketing reports for international clients. DeMerceau graduated from Columbia University with a Bachelor of Arts in history.